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Posts Tagged John Tavares

CCM Vector U + CL Grip Stick Tavares Edition Sr.

Sep 3

Posted by EB in Gear | No Comments

CCM Vector U + CL Grip Stick Tavares Edition Sr.

CCM Vector U + CL Grip Stick Tavares Edition Sr.

CCM has produced one of the lightest sticks on the market in the new CCM Vector U + CL Grip series and have added the Tavares edition. The stick is modeled after John Tavares of the New York Islanders, having all the same features of the CCM U + Crazy Light, but sporting a eye catching blue and orange Islander’s colors as well as the Tavares curve.

CCM has produced a lightweight stick of 405 grams in total weight by using multiple layers of high-grade carbon fiber.

As most hockey players, a concern with the lightweight stick is the sacrifice of performance and durability. CCM has addressed this in full with an impact enhanced slash zone and a tapered shaft for a low kick point aiding in faster shot releases.

Throw in the matte textured feel for better puck control and you have yourself one heck of a hockey stick.

CCM has a video explaining the separation between them and the competitors. Also check out the  CCM U + CL Hockey Skates that Matt previewed to match the stick. Both can be found at Ice Warehouse.

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Hockey World Blog Season Previews 2010: New York Islanders

Sep 2

Posted by Matt in Season Previews | No Comments

Key Offseason Losses: Martin Biron, Jeff Tambellini, Tim Jackman

Key Offseason Additions: James Wisniewski, Mark Eaton, Milan Jurcina, Nino Niederreiter, Zenon Konopka, P.A. Parenteau

Last Season Ranking: 13th in East

John Tavares needs to have a big season for the Islanders to have a chance in 2010-11

John Tavares needs to have a big season for the Islanders to have a chance in 2010-11

Offense:

The New York Islanders are continuing to work with a young squad, spending much of the past decade rebuilding their team. This season, we should see tremendous growth out of the 2009 first overall draft pick, John Tavares. He started the 2009-10 campaign on a roll, and finished strong as well. Over the last 8 games of the season, he tallied 11 points. Throughout the middle of the season, however, Tavares struggled. As he develops and gets better, so will the Islanders.

To compliment Tavares, the Islanders have brought back 30 goal scorer Matt Moulson to play on his left wing. On the right wing will be Kyle Okposo. He put together a nice season last year, picking up 19 goals and 52 points, but is still only 22 years old. Okposo’s numbers have increased in each season with the Islanders, but with another year of experience under his belt, and playing alongside Tavares and Moulson, look for Okposo to have a real break out season.

Beyond the top line, the Islanders don’t have too much going on. While their lack of depth will hurt again this season, they have made some big strides. Blake Comeau is another youngster who put together a nice season last year, putting up 35 points in only 61 games. If he stays healthy, he’ll be a nice threat on the 2nd line. Additionally, we could see Rob Schremp really have a break out season. He was a highly touted prospect with the Oilers organization, but management didn’t really think he had a shot with the team. Instead, after coming to the Islanders, he put up 25 points in only 44 games, including 5 goals and 5 assists on the power play.

Finally, we have a couple of new additions to the squad. First, Nino Niederreiter, the 5th overall pick in the 2010 draft. He’s a Swiss stud who’s only 17 years old right now. He’ll turn 18 on September 8th, but is said to already have NHL size, and could very well see time with the big boys this fall. Nino has put up good numbers everywhere he’s been, including a 60 point campaign, in 65 games, last season with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Beyond that, the Islanders brought in Zenon Konopka to protect the current and future stars. Konopka bullied his way to 265 penalty minutes with the Lightning last season, and will more than likely have a repeat performance.

Defense:

The defense continues to build up and add depth, just like the offense, but the 2010-11 line-up still won’t be enough. Leading the way is Mark Streit, one of the better defenseman in the game. He moves the puck very well, and is a star on the power play. Streit ended last season pretty hot, and should pick up right where he left off.

The new guys, James Wisniewski, Mark Eaton, and Milan Jurcina are all experienced defenseman. Wisniewski is the youngest, and has the most potential as well. He’ll see lots of time on the power play, and should have a pretty big impact at that role. Eaton should see time on the power play as well. Both he and Jurcina will pick up more responsibility with the Islanders than they had with their previous teams. Radek Martinek and Jack Hillen will also battle for ice time on defense.

Goaltending:

The Islanders have two skilled goaltenders in Rick DiPietro and Dwayne Roloson. However, DiPietro has only started 12 games in the past two seasons combined. His injury troubles have certainly plagued the team, but with Dwayne Roloson on the squad as well, they have two netminders who are capable of holding the number one spot. Expect a strong battle through training camp, and even into the season, for the number one goaltending position. If DiPietro can stay healthy, and regain his old form, he could earn back his position.

Season Outlook:

The New York Islanders are still in the midst of a rebuilding project, but the situation is definitely progressing. Youngsters like John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Matt Moulson, and Rob Schremp will lead the way this season, while future stars such as Nino Niederreiter try to make the squad. Doug Weight will also return to add veteran leadership. Unfortunately, the Islanders still lack enough depth to be a true contender this season. A playoff appearance might not be out of the question though if all the pieces fall in to place and the Islanders can add some additional help at the trade deadline.

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Seguin Inks with the Bruins

Aug 4

Posted by EB in Fantasy, News | No Comments

Tyler Seguin will be a good fantasy pickup for any league, but don't expect him to be the top point getter of an already deep rostered Boston Bruin club.

Tyler Seguin will be a good fantasy pickup for any league, but don't expect him to be the top point getter of an already deep rostered Boston Bruin club.

The Boston Bruins have come to terms with second overall 2010 NHL draftee Tyler Seguin.

Seguin, the proud prospect of the Ontario Hockey League is expected to make the NHL entry level maximum of $900,000 with a additional bonuses based on production that could bring him in the $4 million range, mimicking that of number 1 overall pick Taylor Hall of the Edmonton Oilers.

With all the sporting news of NFL rookies not signing and holding out for big contracts, or other players signing big contracts but not passing fitness tests, it is good to see the NHL have their ducks in a row in regards to rookies. Seguin and all other rookies will have to earn their place on the team as well as the team’s respect.

Seguin will be under a microscope with the hard to please Bruins fans, but expect him to excel at the role he is given, however do not expect him to match numbers like New York Islander’s rookie last year John Tavares. Tavares posted 54 points on a team that asked him to carry the workload, while Seguin will be coming into a more support roll at the second or possibly third line. It would be surprising if Seguin can put up 54 points in his rookie season, but it won’t be surprising for him to at least hit the 40 point mark.

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League’s Suspension Consistency

Jan 12

Posted by EB in News, Soap Box | 3 Comments

In last nights contest between the Minnesota Wild and the visiting team Pittsburgh Penguins, Pen’s Sergei Gonchar laid a questionably dirty and hgih hit on Wild winger Cal Clutterbuck.

The league this season is cutting down on head shots and recently displayed this by handing a suspension to Phoenix Coyote defenseman Ed Jovanovski for his elbow to New York Islanders John Tavares. The question becomes though, will the league suspend Gonchar?

The league has been under scrutiny for wanting to make the game a cleaner, safer game for the players, by removing dangerous plays. This year specifically by the means of removing head shots. Yet earlier in the season, when time to muscle up and stick to their guns, the league did not suspend Philadelphia Flyer’s Captain Mike Richards for a hit on Florida Panther’s star David Booth, leaving Booth on the IR to this day. So the question becomes, is the league playing favorites?

Recently stated, the league suspended defenseman Ed Jovanovski for an elbow to John Tavares’ head. Was this done because it was dangerous and shouldn’t be in the game? Was it done because it was blatantly obvious?  Or was it done because the person being hit was The John Tavares, the next greatest thing to hockey according to Canadian news for the past few years?

One would hope that that the league intends on removing dangerous plays, for the betterment of the players, but sometimes you do wonder if favorites are being played. Are you more likely to get a suspension if you hit a prominent figure in the NHL, or is the justice blind?

Underneath is the play where Gonchar took a run at Clutterbuck. You be the judge on a suspension or not.

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Islanders add Schremp to rookie lineup

Sep 30

Posted by Chris in News | No Comments

Ever heard of Rob Schremp? The 23-year-old center who tore up the OHL a few years back by posting 145 points in 57 games? The Edmonton prospect was picked up off of waivers yesterday by the New York Islanders. If you aren’t familiar with Schremp, take a look at this video to watch Schremp dazzle in a shootout.

Here’s the problem with Schremp. He blew away the competition in the OHL and averaged 2.5 points per game, but he faltered in the AHL and only managed seven goals and 35 assists last season in 69 games. Plus, Schremp’s ability to backcheck has also been called into question. With more talented players coming up through the ranks in Edmonton, Schremp was never able to crack the lineup for more than a few games a season and never showcased enough talent to stick with the club when he was recalled.

On the positive, coming into New York will allow Schremp the chance to play with other young stars such as John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders are a team building from square one, which should ultimately benefit someone like Schremp. It gives him the opportunity to learn on the job along with the other youngsters. The Islanders are willing to give Schremp a chance, let’s see if he takes it and runs with it.

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